Why does it hurt when I blink?
Sometimes, you may experience pain or discomfort when blinking. For example, your eyes might feel itchy or “scratchy,” or it could feel like there’s something in your eye. Some underlying conditions can cause so much discomfort that even though you don't have an injury, your eye feels bruised.
Several issues can cause eye discomfort when you blink, such as dry eye (when your eyes don’t make enough tears or the right kind of tears) or foreign particles (like sand or an eyelash).
An eye ache when blinking can also be a sign of other eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids caused by bacteria or blocked, irritated oil glands in the eyelid), allergens or a scratch on the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye).
The good news is there are several ways to get relief from this eye pain. For instance, dry eyes and any irritants in the eyes can often be relieved through the use of home remedies, such as artificial tears or an eye wash.
However, if you're still experiencing eye discomfort when blinking or the pain worsens, it is important to see your eye doctor in case there is a more serious issue. And depending on the source of your eye pain, your eye doctor may prescribe certain medications, cleansers or other treatments to help alleviate the discomfort.
It’s important to understand the common causes of various types of eye pain when blinking, their treatment options and how to know when it’s time to visit your eye doctor.
Common causes of eye blinking pain
If your eye hurts when you blink, it could be due to several different conditions or factors. Eye pain can vary in sensation and intensity, from minor irritation to sharp or stabbing discomfort.
Irritated, scratchy eyes
If your eyes are irritated, feel “scratchy” or there’s a burning sensation when you blink, one common cause may be dry eye. The most common type of dry eye is called evaporative dry eye.
Tears have an outer oily layer. When that layer is disrupted, tears can evaporate too quickly. This can occur when the glands on the eyelids that produce the oil layer (called meibomian glands) become blocked or do not function properly — a common cause of evaporative dry eye disease.
In addition to dry eye, other common factors that may cause irritated and scratchy-feeling eyes include:
- Allergies
- Pink eye
- Blepharitis
- Small debris caught in the eye
- Debris or other buildup on contact lenses
- Exposure to air from a heater or air conditioner
READ MORE: What causes burning eyes?
Foreign body sensation
If your eyes are very irritated or dry and they ache when you blink, it may feel like there's something in your eye, even when there's not. This is called a foreign body sensation (FBS).
Various factors can cause you to experience FBS, including:
- Allergies
- Blepharitis
- A corneal scratch
- Discomfort from contact lenses
- Dry eye
- Flipped-in or ingrown eyelashes (trichiasis)
- Small particles in the eye such as dirt
READ MORE: Why does it feel like something is in my eye?
Itchy eyes
Itchy eye discomfort when blinking is often due to allergens that cause an allergic reaction in the eye. This is clinically known as allergic conjunctivitis, where the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye and inside the eyelids) becomes inflamed.
Eye allergies and itching can also be caused by a variety of environmental airborne allergens, such as:
- Diesel exhaust
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Perfume
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Smoke
Eye conditions such as dry eye, pink eye and blepharitis can also cause your eyes to itch.
Eye pain and discomfort
While eye pain can sometimes be caused by dry eye or an irritant in your eye, it can also be a sign of a potential eye problem. If your eye pain continues or worsens, it is definitely time to see your eye doctor.
Eye conditions that can cause pain and eye discomfort when blinking include:
- Blepharitis – Inflammation of the eyelids, causing redness, itching or discomfort
- Cluster headaches – Very painful headaches that recur over a few days or weeks
- Uveitis – Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, a serious condition that can cause eye pain, redness and vision problems
- Eye injuries – Trauma to the eyeball or surrounding area
- Glaucoma – A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve
- Stye – An infection on the eyelid or at the base of the eyelashes
- Optic neuritis – Inflammation of the optic nerve
- Pink eye – Inflammation of the conjunctiva, causing redness, itching or discomfort
- Corneal scratch – A scratch or scrape on the front surface of the eye
READ MORE: Eye pain: Causes of pain in,around or behind your eyes and treatment options
Treatments
There are several reasons why your eyes might hurt when you blink, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
How to treat dry eye
Dry eye can often be relieved with over-the-counter artificial tears, warm compresses and lifestyle changes. For more severe cases, doctors may recommend prescription eye drops, tear duct plugs or special contact lenses to help retain moisture and reduce symptoms. When in doubt, the best plan of action is always to visit your eye doctor.
What to do for irritated or painful eyes
If you experience an eye ache when blinking, it could be because your eyes are irritated from dry eye, contact lens issues or something in your eye.
Working in front of a computer for long periods of time can cause eye strain and worsen dry eyes, which can be another source of eye irritation.
There are a few ways to treat irritated or achy eyes at home, such as:
- Taking breaks from looking at a screen every 20 minutes
- Adjusting the brightness of your screen
- Blinking frequently to moisten your eyes
- Administering over-the-counter artificial tears
- Applying warm compresses to closed eyes to help alleviate discomfort
If your eyes continue to feel irritated or the discomfort increases, it's time to see your eye doctor.
How can I get rid of a foreign body sensation?
If FBS causes your eyes to hurt when you blink, there are some ways to help treat it at home, such as:
- Using over-the-counter artificial tears to help provide moisture to the eye
- Using an eyelid scrub to clear away bacteria from the eyelid and eyelashes
- Applying a warm compress to the eyelids to provide heat and moisture and help remove clogged oil in meibomian glands
- Taking electronic screen breaks to allow the eyes to rest and blink naturally
- Avoiding environmental irritants like dust, allergens and smoke
You should make an appointment with your eye doctor if FBS symptoms don’t go away or they worsen.
How to treat itchy eyes
There are several ways to help soothe itchy eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis, including:
- Taking over-the-counter allergy medications, such as an antihistamine
- Using artificial tears
- Applying a cold compress to closed eyes to reduce inflammation
- Washing your face each night to remove pollen from your skin
- Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen
Itchy eyes caused by a bacterial infection resulting in pink eye or blepharitis may require prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointment from your eye doctor to fully clear up.
When to see a doctor
Your eyes are needed for almost everything you do — if they're irritated, itchy or painful, it can make everyday tasks hard to complete.
While there are methods for treating eye discomfort when blinking at home, it is always a good idea to see your eye doctor to talk about the problem you’re experiencing and get their expert advice.
READ MORE: What causes pressure behind the eyes?
